Technical Bonnet spring.

[Albert Alfvag]

Hello. Does anyone know where I can get a hold of the spring that opens the bonnet the first little bit?

When I pull the handle under the dash it doesn't lift so I have to open the door fully and lift the bonnet by hand while pulling the handle and it's annoying and inconvenient at times.

All the best.

/Albert

 

[Johnbee]

Evening.

You could try Ricambio - and they’re in stock !

https://www.ricambio.co.uk/complete-bonnet-cable-nipple-classic-fiat-panda

[emoji209]

 

[Iggy64]

I have the same problem. It's not the cable and the catch itself looks intact. Not sure where any Spring would fit as it's nothing like the catch on the Uno bonnet. Will investigate further and see if I can found out what's actually wrong.

 

[Palio]

Have you both adjusted the rubber buffers either side of the engine bay? Try raising them a turn, and it should help the bonnet spring up when the catch is pulled.

 

[Iggy64]

Thank you for the advice. Had a good look at mine today and found that the clip holding the release cable to the inner wing was missing. This meant that the hooked end of the bonnet catch didn't open quite far enough and was catching on the bonnet spindle just enough to stop it springing clear. I refixed the cable and adjusted the rubber buffers as you suggested. The bonnet does now release OK (just!) but the spring doesn't seem very strong. Not sure if this is normal for a Panda or whether I really need a new catch.

 

[Iggy64]

Just by way of an update, I bought a new bonnet catch but it doesn't fit! Nearly all catches (including the one listed by Ricambio) are set up for left hand release but my 1992 Panda has the release lever in the drivers side footwell. Every part of the catch mechanism including the spring is reversed.
I eventually found the right part on a Slovenian website and have ordered it. No idea when it might arrive. In the meantime I have fixed the problem temporarily by wedging a small piece of hard rubber trim under the bottom part of the spring. This has increased the spring tension and the catch works perfectly at the moment.
Meanwhile I have a spare unused catch if anyone wants it - see classified section.

 

[Johnbee]

I ordered mine from Ricambio as mine broke a few days after my post on the subject [emoji15] I only wanted to pop the screwdriver back in the washer bottle, as I’d found it in my shed ! Luckily they did have some which specified for right hand drive cars. £8.37 plus VAT. My Selecta’s bonnet catch is also on the drivers side

I also had to replace the outer sleeve the cable runs through, as it had a few major kinks and splits in - and the cable wouldn’t stay in the outer sleeve. The spring which keeps the bonnet catch shut was also reattached correctly too (I think).

I no longer have to use a pair of pliers to pull the broken cable through the grille to yank open the bonnet.